Report: BP asks permission to resume drilling

BP PLC is asking U.S. regulators to let it resume drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a report that The New York Times published on its website Sunday. The move comes almost a year after a rig that the British oil company leased exploded.

According to the newspaper, BP is asking permission to continue drilling at 10 existing deep water production and development wells in the region in July in exchange for embracing stricter safer and supervisory rules. The New York Times quoted two unnamed sources with direct knowledge of the application.

The Deepwater Horizon explosion last April 20 led to the release of more than 200 million gallons of oil from BP's well a mile beneath the sea, according to government estimates that BP disputes.